Program Description
Vermont State University’s Bachelor of Science Resort & Hospitality Management (RHM) program is a three-year degree and cooperative education program in partnership with Killington Mountain Resort, the largest ski area in the eastern United States.
The RHM program operates on a trimester system with a full slate of courses in the Fall and Spring, and three 9-credit Co-ops (Winter Year 1, Winter Year 2, and one Summer). During the Co-Op term, students work an average of 35 hours per week in their home department (paid at prevailing wage) as well as attend weekly Co-Op classes. Students are immersed in resort operations in order to witness the live workings and operations of this major resort. The weekly Co-Op classes allow the student to think critically in discussing and reporting on resort operations as well as understanding the roles and interactions of the various resort departments. Students are evaluated by a review board consisting of Killington HR leaders, work supervisors and RHM faculty to measure progress toward becoming Hospitality professionals.
Examples of course assignments include writing analyses of operations, departmental efficiency research projects, assessing journal articles, designing and delivering in-services, and recommended budget adjustments under varying conditions.
Students who show promise in both the classroom and with the resort have the opportunity to become supervisors at Killington while still in the program, with responsibility for six to eight employees.
Accordingly, the program allows students to earn their BS degree in three years while earning money to finance their education and provides at least three meaningful work experiences that immediately translate into the skills needed to succeed in the student’s chosen career; indeed, graduates of the program have a 99 percent employment rate.
The program is based in two facilities located in Killington. The first is the student residential facility and living/learning laboratory known as the Lodge at Killington. Located on the Killington access road, the Lodge is a full-service residence, including conference space, computer lab, dining room, food service, laundry facilities, recreation room, and fireplace lounge. Students are given the opportunity to be leaders at The Lodge, where they see first-hand how a lodging facility is run.
The other facility is a suite of classrooms and faculty workspaces within the Killington resort. The Resort & Hospitality Management courses are taught on-site by VTSU faculty and instructors from the top management of Killington Mountain Resort.
Program Outcomes
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Develop skills in problem solving, critical thought and clear expression in a variety of situations within the resort and hospitality setting.
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Fully understand and demonstrate knowledge of management theory and its application to the destination hospitality and resort operation.
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Heighten knowledge and awareness of environmental responsibility, understanding of the global community, and obligation for lifelong education.
